Tim Howard to take year off from U.S. soccer

Tim Howard, a three-time FIFA World Cup veteran, will not compete for the U.S. national team next year. (Felipe Dana, The Associated Press)

Tim Howard, the longtime goalkeeper for the U.S. men’s national team, plans to take the next year off from competing with the team but is not retiring, he announced on his Facebook page Thursday.

The 35-year-old will continue to compete for Everton of the English Premier League, but he will not be considered for selection to the U.S. roster until September of next year.

“As you may have heard, I have decided to take some time off from the U.S. Men’s National Team in order to spend more time with my family,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “Having played overseas for the last 12 years, making this commitment to my family is very important. I am grateful for the understanding of (U.S. coach) Jurgen Klinsmann who is affording me the opportunity to spend some much needed time with my kids and to have the opportunity to compete for a spot upon my return. I understand that I will have to earn my place with the team and in the lineup when I come back, and I look forward to doing that. Physically I feel as strong as ever, and right now my heart, mind, and body all feel good about continuing on with the national team for the next World Cup. It is difficult to predict the situation in four years but I know this decision is right for me today.”

According to a release by U.S. Soccer, Howard and Klinsmann had “extensive conversations” before the decision was made, and Klinsmann supports the move.
“I totally understand Tim’s situation,” he said in the release. “He was very straight forward and honest in his approach, and I admire him for that. He has a wish to take a step back to take care of his family, and we came to the conclusion that it’s absolutely fine that he takes time off from international soccer until after next summer’s Gold Cup, and then we reevaluate. I told him as long as he is the same Tim Howard that we always see performing well, he will be welcome back with open arms and right back competing for a spot. He knows that he has to prove that he deserves to be back.”

By taking the next year off, Howard, a three-time FIFA World Cup veteran, could miss as many as eight friendly matches, plus the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

He first represented the U.S. in the 1999 World Youth Championship in Nigeria as a backup at the 2000 Olympics. He first appeared with the senior team in 2002 and was named one of three goalkeepers on the U.S. roster for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Howard quickly earned his place as the starter in goal for the U.S., playing every minute for the Americans in the last two World Cups. In his 12 years with the team, he has recorded a total of 104 appearances and 55 wins, making him the all-time leader among goalkeepers in both categories for the U.S.

Adding to his long list of accolades, Howard was awarded “Man of the Match” in a 2-1 loss to Belgium in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil after setting the record for most saves in a World Cup match with 16.

With Howard out for the next year, Klinsmann said the focus now turns to Brad Guzan and Nick Rimando as the next man up as the starter in goal.

The U.S. team heads to Prague on Sept. 3 to face the Czech Republic, its first match since the World Cup.